The Best Places to See Cherry Blossom
Six places to see the blossom, from a Kyoto canal path to a Korean naval port and the trees Tokyo gave Washington in 1912.
Cherry blossom lasts about a week in any one place, and the dates move every year with the weather, so follow the forecasts that start in late winter. The good news is that the bloom moves north: miss it in one place and you can catch it further up the map.
In Japan, the season usually starts in late March. Matsuyama Castle, one of twelve with its original keep, stands in one of Japan's Top 100 cherry blossom spots. In Tokyo, Ueno Park has about 800 trees and the city's best-known hanami. Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk follows a canal under the trees between two temples — best at dawn. And Hirosaki, far in the north, blooms around Golden Week at the end of April, with 2,600 trees around its castle.
In South Korea, Jinhae's festival in early April opens the naval academy's grounds to the public. And in Washington, the trees around the Tidal Basin go back to the 3,020 the mayor of Tokyo gave the city in 1912.
Matsuyama Castle
Matsuyama, JapanOne of Japan's twelve castles with an original keep, on a hill in the city, in one of the Top 100 cherry blossom spots.
Ueno Park
Tokyo, JapanOne of Japan's first public parks, with about 800 cherry trees and Tokyo's best-known hanami.
Philosopher's Walk
Kyoto, JapanA canal-side path between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji, under cherry trees, named for the philosophers who walked it daily.
Hirosaki Park
Hirosaki, Japan2,600 cherry trees around a castle and its moats, blooming in northern Japan when the rest of the country is done.
Jinhae
A naval port on Korea's south coast whose cherry blossom festival opens up the navy's own grounds every April.
Tidal Basin
Washington DC, United StatesCherry trees from Tokyo's 1912 gift, around the water by the Jefferson Memorial.